Alyssa Thomas expected to return to Phoenix Mercury to compete for WNBA title

Alyssa Thomas fell just short of winning the first WNBA championship of her career in her first season with the Phoenix Mercury , but Thomas is ready to run it back with coach Nate Tibbetts & Co. A person familiar with the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports the 33-year-old who led the WNBA in assists last season is working on a contract to remain with the Mercury. Like many star players this offseason, Thomas had been an unrestricted free agent.

Thomas was acquired by the Mercury in a four-team trade in February 2025 following 11 seasons in Connecticut, where she led the Sun to eight consecutive playoff appearances and two WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. The six-time All-Star told USA TODAY Sports last year she "gave everything I had to Connecticut" and ultimately decided to depart in hopes of winning a title. "I felt that coming to Phoenix was a new start in an organization that's known for winning championships," Thomas said in September.

"Offensively, I felt like it was just a perfect fit for me... I want to win a championship. " Thomas' first season in Phoenix resulted in her most efficient season to date.

She finished third in MVP voting last season after averaging a near triple double, with 15. 4 points, a league-high 9. 2 assists and 8.